Questions and Answers

Sandy:

Looking for advice on wetsuit or dive skin for Cozumel dive trip.
I have a Henderson 5mm AquaLock full wetsuit, hood & gloves. I just dove in 49 degree water (deep dive) and had no problems with being cold. I typically bake in my 5mm Henderson until I can get to cool waters.
I know my 5mm full is going to be way to much for Cozumel trip. Id like to have full body protection (from stinging creatures) but dont necessarily want a full 3/2 wetsuit.
I currently have a LavaCore short sleeve top.
Looking for advice if you think I would be okay with adding a LavaCore Trilaminate Poly dive pants to my LavaCore top and if that may be enough for Cozumel.
Id appreciate any advice you can provide.

Bill(Certified Scuba Instructor at Scuba.com):

These pants should work well with the top. The other choice is to go with the full jumpsuit:http://www.scuba.com/scuba-gear-44/110944/LavaCore-by-Oceanic-Trilaminate-Polytherm-Dive-Jumpsuit.html

barbara:

do these pants have stirrups? if not, how are they when putting on a wetsuit over top of them? Im concerned about them not staying in place during donning of a wetsuit.

Arthur(Certified Scuba Instructor at Scuba.com):

Hello, no this item doesn''t come with stirrups.

jay:

i am 61" with a 34 inch waist. which measurement is more important when choosing a pant size?

Bob(Certified Scuba Instructor at Scuba.com):

Any time you purchase a neoprene product for your body the 2 most important measurements will be your waist and chest measurements followed by your height as a secondary measurement. You want the item to fit snug around the torso area to maintain the thin layer of water between your body and the material. In this case, of course chest measurement is not going to come into play but it remains a very good rule of thumb.

steve:

66" 225 lbs, who sells long lavacore pants that fit?
Thanks

Bob(Certified Scuba Instructor at Scuba.com):

The most important measurements any time you purchase a wetsuit or drysuit using the manufacturer's sizing charts will always be your waist and chest/bust measurements. The suit needs to fit your torso correctly in order to do its job properly. Keep in mind there is no such thing as a comfortable wetsuit on the surface. You want it to be snug, but not cut off circulation to your extremities. The more snug it is, the thinner the layer of water your body is heating. If its too loose you will remain warm for awhile, but eventually your body won't be able to keep up with the greater amount of water flowing through the suit and you'll wind up getting cold faster. After that your height is a secondary measurement. The manufacturers realize that generally speaking your boots and gloves can overlap slightly short arms and legs, or the diver can push or roll up longer sleeves and/or arms if need be. Weight is a measurement the diver can usually ignore. It really has little to no bearing what so ever on the sizing and fit of your suit. The manufacturers do not take into account muscle being more dense than fat, so based simply on fitness levels 2 people can be the exact same size but quite different in weight. This measurement should only be used if the person is literally on the fence between 2 sizes in all categories.

rich:

Me again. Are the polytherm dive pants waterproof?

Bob(Certified Scuba Instructor at Scuba.com):

No.

More About This Product

UNISEX PANTSWorn alone or as an under suit where comfort and warmth are essential in the lower body. Couple with and of the Lavacore upper body garments for a true multi-purpose thermal protection system.

Close to the skin, this soft internal fleece combined with high 4-way stretch produces the ultimate comfort / warmth / weight ratio, a true leader amongst artificial/man-made fabrics within the water sports industry. Wet or dry, hot or cold, Polytherm helps control your core temperature longer and when wet maintains neutral buoyancy, crucial to divers and any high activity watersports enthusiast.

Due to water weight being eliminated the garment becomes an ultra performance piece of equipment - essential to your body’s needs of maintaining a safe and secure temperature. Whether worn as a stand alone garment, under your wetsuit or even clothing, olytherm is guaranteed to keep you well insulated, flexible, lightweight and free from windchill.

Polytherm Tri-LaminateCombining the outer shell and the inter PU layer, the fleece of Polytherm integrated ensures a very high heat and insulation rating, the PU film layer gives this combination added water resistance and high protection from windchill. Used in areas where extreme heat retention is required.

2) Waterproof/Breathable MIddleMembrane +Layer is an impermeable Breathable Microporous high stretch PU Film which is wind proof and breathable allowing perspiration to be drawn away in hot conditions.

3) Insulative Thermal Inner Layer +Fleece layer is a 240g/sqm 4 way stretch polyester fleece with elastane. It has Anti-Pill treatment as well as Anti-Microbial treatment to reduce odor and eliminate bacteria.

Seam ConstructionAll of the Lavacore seams are overlapped during flatlock sewing to ensure maximum water integrity and reduced waterflow through the seams. Maximum heat retention is therefore achieved when worn in colder water conditions. See diagram. To ensure maximum integrity and longevity of your Lavacore garment the seam cross-overs on the inside of the suit are locked under the threads of the adjoining seam. The seam construction being doubled and flat-locked allows for maximum stretch out of the four way stretch fabric technology without compromising at seam edges.

Panel DesignThe Lavacore range includes female and male specific cut and unique design.Lycra panels with contemporary lines and graphics are incorporated into all garments.Full Under the Arm Gusset. This ensures there is no rub or irritation on the sensitive under side of the arms and side of the body. It also reduces restricted movement considerably and allows for extra reach without seam strain and damage.